Bikeability Scotland Instructor of the Year 2026 has been awarded to Jacqueline Doherty, an instructor based in Renfrewshire.
Jacqueline Doherty pictured with her Bikeability Scotland Instructor of the Year 2026 award trophy
Judges praised Jacqueline’s enthusiasm, dedication and positivity as a Bikeability instructor. Colleagues who nominated her highlighted her calm, supportive and friendly approach, which is greatly valued by pupils and fellow instructors alike.
Jacqueline began her Bikeability journey as a parent volunteer before joining OneRen’s permanent staff to deliver training across Renfrewshire. Those who nominated her described her as an integral part of the area’s growing success in Bikeability delivery in recent years.
We caught up with Jacqueline on a sunny afternoon in Erskine, shortly after she finished leading an on-road Level 2 Bikeability session at St Anne’s Primary School.
What was your reaction to being named Bikeability Scotland Instructor of the Year?
“To be honest, a bit surprised. But obviously really pleased that people appreciate you and feel, I suppose… when you've got members of staff when you go and they feel encouraged by you or they look forward to seeing you. That's quite a nice feeling.”
You just finished an afternoon Bikeability session, how was it?
“It was good, we had it lucky because we were blessed with nice weather today. It was two really good sessions, both in Erskine today and both the final sessions for each school. It's always nice because then we're at the stage where the pupils want to try the junctions and to take a bit of ownership and responsibility of the session. I always like that.”
How did you get involved with Bikeability Scotland?
“I was on the parent council at Langbank Primary School and one of the other parents raised that when they were at school, they used to do the old cycle proficiency but how it was no longer offered in schools. I knew the teacher that used to do the old cycling proficiency had left and they were looking for two parent volunteers [for Bikeability].”
“I suppose I'm always… if nobody else volunteers then I'll put my hand up! So, I volunteered to do that and I did the training.”
“I did it as a parent volunteer for about three years just in Langbank. And then Craig Dalziel [Bikeability Scotland Co-ordinator at OneRen] approached me and said: “Oh, would you mind coming on board?” Initially it was just to help in primary schools local to myself. t's just growing arms and legs, and now I work across the whole of Renfrewshire.”
What made you become a parent volunteer in the first place? Had you always been interested in cycling?
“No, cycling probably came after the volunteering. I've cycled as a child, just for fun. And then as an adult, just as a ‘mum cyclist’, taking the family out and going on day trips and putting the bikes in the back of the car.”
“So, from that point of view, I wasn't cycling to work or cycling regularly. But my background prior to having children, was in teaching. So, I had the view, if you can teach me something, I can teach it to children.”
“I'm also quite passionate about the environment and getting people out of their cars and onto their bikes if they can. So, it's great to think that we're giving children the skills that one day when we get the proper infrastructure that they've got the basic skills they need to maybe be thinking: ‘Oh, we can cycle places’.”
Jacqueline Doherty (centre) pictured holding her Bikeability Scotland Instructor of the Year 2026 award trophy, alongside Gillian Bond, Cycling Scotland (left) and Craig Dalziel, OneRen (right)
Does that teaching background help you on a day-to-day basis?
“It’s about understanding that there's different types of learners. Sometimes you've got to think outside the box.
“Also understanding how teachers feel when they're out in the road and they're responsible for their children. Having a wee bit of understanding and knowing that the pressure's on them all the time to be responsible for those children.”
What’s it like being a Bikeability Scotland instructor?
“The teacher in me just loves imparting knowledge and enriching people's lives. And if you can see somebody that can barely go on a bike and then they can negotiate it, it's really fulfilling.”
Has there been a memorable moment of seeing the impact on children from Bikeability training?
“For me it's the children who really lack confidence or they're maybe not doing great in the classroom. And then I see them on the road and I'm so delighted they're doing well. They find something that they're good at.”
“And particularly, you get kids that are zooming about on their bikes all the time that have great control and they're super confident. But then you put them on the road and they're less sure of themselves. You can just see their confidence building. I love seeing somebody's confidence building."
“Actually, like today, you even get kids spontaneously who’ll say, ‘thank you’. And that's all it is. It's just a thank you, but it’s genuine. I love that.”
“They’ll say ‘This is my favourite thing, doing Bikeability’. So, to let them have fun, enjoy it, and also give them a life skill.”
Have you seen any children out on their bikes after they’ve been through the training?
“Because of where I live I'll see them. And sometimes it's good seeing them. Sometimes I'll be like, ‘Oh, did you check behind you before you overtake?’ You do see them, particularly in Langbank where I live, and we've just finished last week doing their sessions… you can see the kids out and about practising later."
“And then a couple of years going by… and I can think of one child, I mean a good number of years ago, who probably in school would be getting into trouble and whatever… but I tell you, I never saw him out without doing his proper signals. I would roll down the window and stop and shout ‘well done!’. I love, love seeing that.”
What advice would you give to someone just starting out as an instructor or thinking of becoming an instructor?
"I would say just keep going to the training. Know that some sessions will be great, some will be really tricky. But at the end of the day, you know, probably the trickiest part is often dealing with behaviours of children. If you're not comfortable doing that, then get a member of staff to manage the behaviours. But most of the kids are great."
“I would tell them just to enjoy it. have fun and enjoy it, although we've got to keep them safe. And it's that balance, it's that balance between, you know, letting young folks enjoy themselves but staying safe."
What would you say to schools not yet delivering the training, but who might be interested?
“My message would be it's a fantastic skill for the children to have. There are enough adults involved in the sessions, so don't worry about taking children out on the road, because it's better getting them out on the road in a more controlled environment especially as some of them are used to, maybe bombing about on their bikes anyway.
"It might even be upskilling some of those confident kids and teaching them how to keep themselves safer."
Do you have any final thoughts and reflections?
"Just about the Bikeability community, the people I work with. People who are all excellent at what they do, so to be given an award like that, I'm really delighted and really pleased. But obviously I'm always learning from the people, my colleagues and that I'm always pinching bits of learning from them if I'm out and about so thanks to them as well."
Jacqueline Doherty, Bikeability Scotland Instructor of the Year 2026